The lifespan of a cat will vary based on breed, veterinary care, nutrition, and whether or not the cat is allowed outside. Overall, barring accident or disease, cats tend to live anywhere from 12 to more than 20 years, so it’s important to take a long-range view of your ability to care for a pet.
Issues to take into account before adopting include time commitment, children, allergies, holiday care, financial resources, and home and furnishings.
Time Commitment
Will you be able to make the time required to play with your cat, as well as scoop litter and provide food each day? Young kittens and sociable adult cats should not be left alone for long stretches of time. If members of your household are usually out at work or school all day, it’s a good idea to adopt two cats at once, ideally litter mates that have already spent time together and get along well. Cats don’t need as much attention as dogs, but they can’t be left entirely on their own.
Children
If there are children under the age of 6 in the household, you’ll need to choose a very easy going cat that can tolerate a bit of clumsy handling without lashing out. Maine Coons and Ragdolls are often good options when seeking a laid back cat, but individual cats within these breeds may vary. Ask breeders or shelter personnel about the personality of the cat before adopting, and have the children spend some time with the cat at the pet store, breeder’s home, or shelter to ensure compatibility.
Allergies
Some cats produce more allergens than others. If possible, have any household members who are prone to allergies spend time with the cat to be adopted or with another cat of the same breed to gauge their reactions before adopting.
Holiday Care
Is there someone reliable who can care for your pet when you go out of town? It’s a good idea to make sure that you have at least one nearby friend, family member, or neighbour who can take care of your cat if you go away or in case of emergency.
Financial Resources
Purebred cats are expensive, while shelter cats are relatively cheap to obtain, but you will have to pay for medical care, food, cat litter, and other supplies either way. Spaying or neutering and initial vaccinations will cost at least $100, and probably more. These costs vary from one veterinarian to another.
Food alone will cost approximately $1 per day, though cost varies greatly depending on food quality, the size of the cat, and whether or not you buy in bulk. Cat litter can range from $2-10 each week, depending on the quality and brand. There are also other supplies that you’ll need to purchase before bringing home a new cat.
Home and Furnishings
Before adopting, you’ll have to cat-proof your home to eliminate potential dangers. Additionally, there is the risk that furniture will be scratched, or that the cat may have an accident. Cats can be trained to scratch and eliminate in appropriate places, but this may take some time, particularly if you’re adopting a kitten rather than an adult cat.
Adopting a Cat
Once all the required preparations have been made, the next step is choosing the right cat for your household. For information on how to select the best cat for your home, family, and lifestyle, see How to Choose a Cat.
References:
- KnowYourCat.info. (2008). “First Considerations.”
- PetPlace.com. (n.d.). “Are You Ready for a Cat?”
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